Patrick Kane Signs Blackhawks Contract to Return in NHL Free Agency, Won 3 Stanley Cups With Team

Patrick Kane is heading back to the city where he won a Hart Trophy and three Stanley Cups.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Kane have agreed to a two-year contract worth $8 million annually ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

"Day in and day out for 16 seasons, Patrick captivated the city of Chicago with his dazzling skill, creating some of the most memorable moments in Blackhawks history as he helped bring our storied franchise back to the pinnacle of our sport," general manager Kyle Davidson said.

"He's shown on countless occasions that he knows what it takes to win at the highest levels, and we couldn't be prouder for Patrick to once again call the United Center home and continue to shine in Chicago's brightest lights."

The signing comes as the Blackhawks prepare to start next season without top-line center Connor Bedard, who is expected to be sidelined through the beginning of November after undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason.

The Hawks could be hoping Kane will help fill in for Bedard's missing offensive production in the short term before potentially playing on his wing down the stretch of the season.

Kane, 37, has played each of the last three seasons on one-year deals with the Red Wings.

This time he left Detroit in free agency after recording 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 67 games of his 2025-26 season.

Kane's second line, on which he skated opposite his longtime Hawks teammate Alex DeBrincat, was at times a bright spot as the Red Wings collapsed down the stretch of last season.

DeBrincat and Kane led the team in scoring onward from March 1 as the Red Wings went 7-11-4 and missed the playoffs for a 10th straight season.

Part of the reason the Red Wings extended the NHL's longest active playoff drought was because of struggles to score at 5v5. Only nine teams scored fewer even strength goals last season, per Natural Stat Trick.

Despite seeing his overall production drop, Kane remained one of the team's best playmakers at 5v5 last season. He recorded 38 of his points (14 goals, 24 assists) at even strength.

Kane will now hope that even-strength offense can help the Blackhawks take the next step in a rebuild that has been ongoing since his departure from the franchise.

The Hawks are hoping to see their first playoff action since 2020, while Kane is looking to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2023.

The Red Wings, who have been one of the NHL's worst March teams for the last four seasons, will need to figure out how to avoid collapsing down the stretch without Kane.

Kane played the first 15 and a half seasons of his NHL career with the Blackhawks, where he won a Calder, Hart and Art Ross Trophy alongside three Stanley Cups before he and his expiring contract were traded to the New York Rangers midway through the 2022-23 season.

Kane underwent hip resurfacing surgery the following offseason, which kept him on the sideline until he joined the Red Wings on a midseason free agency contract.

He has maintained an unprecedented level of play since returning from that injury. In January, he passed Mike Modano to become the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history.

Kane is heading into his 20th NHL season ranked sixth among active players with 508 goals and fourth with 1,400 points through 1,369 career regular-season games.